Humphrys genealogy

Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.


My ancestors - Cashel - Contents


William Henry Cashel



Irish Times, October 23, 1869.



William Henry Cashel,
William, bapt 16 Nov 1844.

Worked for GSWR, 1866 to 1889:
He worked for Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR) for 23 years (1866 to 1889). His brother Blennerhassett also worked for GSWR.
William was appointed 21 Mar 1866 [GSWR record].

He was station master at Buttevant, Co.Cork from before May 1868 until 1874.
The tribute when leaving says he was there for more than 6 years, so started before May 1868.
Article in Irish Times, October 23, 1869 (also here) reports that Lieutenant-Colonel Gildea and the officers of the 81st Regiment presented "a massive gold ring" to "William Henry Cashell", the stationmaster at Buttevant, Co.Cork, for his help in transporting the regiment by rail, "for his civility and readiness on all occasions to oblige anyone belonging to the regiment whilst stationed at Buttevant". The ring bore inscription and date Oct 1869.
See article in Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier, 25 October 1869.

He wit his sister's wedding near Buttevant in Apr 1870. She was living Buttevant at the time.
He sp the baptism of Agnes Cashel in Dec 1870.
"William Henry Cashel" sp bapt of his nephew George William Sheahan 1872.

The murder case, 1873: On the night of 3 Apr 1873, a GSWR goods engine driver, Arnold Wall, was killed close to Buttevant station, apparently falling or being pushed off the train in an argument with his fireman, Timothy Nagle. Other train staff found the train stopped and Wall and Nagle had left the train. Cashel was sent for at Buttevant, and he and the other staff found the body of Wall, and Nagle alive. Cashel gave evidence at the initial inquiry.
See long article in Cork Constitution, 5 April 1873, p.2 and p.3.
Cashel gave evidence at the trial of Nagle. Nagle was found guilty of manslaughter.
See long article in Cork Constitution, 24 July 1873, p.2 and p.3. See also Kerry Evening Post, 26 July 1873.

He left Buttevant in May-June 1874.
See tribute to him on leaving Buttevant, Freeman's Journal, 16 May 1874. He signs himself "W.H. Cashel".

He was station master at Parsonstown (now Birr), Co.Offaly, from May-June 1874 to 1877.
In June 1874, his father's pension address switches to Parsonstown.
"William Cashel" sp bapt of his nephew David Joseph Sheahan Aug 1874.

Leaving Parsonstown, 1877: He left Parsonstown in 1877 and his brother Blen took over from him there.
See item in Freeman's Journal, 10 Aug 1877 (also here). This reports William Henry's move from the railway station at Parsonstown to Carlow, and his replacement at Parsonstown by his brother Blen. See item in Irish Times, 10 August 1877.
There was a tribute to him at a meeting of the Parsonstown Town Commissioners on Mon 13 Aug 1877. See item in Midland Counties Advertiser, 16 Aug 1877. And identical in Leinster Reporter, 16 Aug 1877.
The Parsonstown Town Commissioners prepared an illuminated address for him. See item in Leinster Reporter, 8 November 1877.
The address was presented to him on Mon 26 Nov 1877. See article part one and two in Leinster Reporter, Thur 29 November 1877. One speaker says he "hoped that every blessing would follow Mr. Cashel and his family in whatever situation they were placed". Cashel was age 33 and unmarried. This could be a reference to his brother, arriving at Parsonstown to replace him.
See identical in Midland Counties Advertiser, 29 November 1877. And similar in Carlow Sentinel, 1 December 1877.

He was station master at Carlow station 1877 to 1889.
Carlow railway station was a GSWR station at this time.
He was stationmaster, living Railway Station, Carlow town, as at his father's death in June 1882 [GROI], [NAI].
"W.H. Cashel" was elected to the committee of the Carlow Commercial Club in Jan 1885. See item in Leinster Leader, 24 January 1885.
"W.H. Cashel" was elected to the committee of the Carlow Rowing Club in Mar 1885. See item in Carlow Sentinel, 14 March 1885.
Despite his late father's job as a policeman, he had nationalist sympathies. In May 1889 he was at a banquet in Carlow in honour of Patrick J. Conlan, proprietor of the Carlow Nationalist, who had been imprisoned for 2 months. See article in the Kildare Observer, 1 June 1889.

He didn't marry. He socialised a lot. He appears in lists of guests at many social events in newspapers.
Story is he drank too much. It seems his drinking interfered with his job.
He was "called on to resign" 23 Nov 1889 [GSWR record]. He was age 45, still stationmaster at Carlow at the time.
He is listed as "ex-stationmaster" at death.

His will is dated 22 Sept 1890.
Transcript of will survives. But it is very short. Leaves all property to his brother Blen. Blen also sole executor.
Will witnessed by "Patrick L. Aherne", Mater Hospital, Dublin. (Perhaps he was receiving treatment there?)

He moved in with his brother Blen and family at Carey's Road, Limerick. (Blen was GSWR head at Limerick.)
"William H. Cashel" of Carey's Road, Limerick, was charged at Limerick Petty Sessions on 24 July 1891 with being drunk on the street in Limerick on 16 July 1891. Think case dismissed. Certainly he escaped jail. See p.1 and p.2.

Commits suicide, 1891:
He committed suicide, 28th Oct 1891, Croom, Co.Limerick, age 46 yrs.
Note that Croom was a GSWR station at this time, though he was not working there, he is listed as "ex-stationmaster".
Have searched Limerick Chronicle 29th Oct, not found.
Findings of inquest: "suffocation caused by a self-inflicted wound in his throat whilst in a state of temporary insanity - suicide" [GROI].
Will proved at Limerick, 21st Nov 1891, by his brother Blen [NAI]. See image of entry.



 
The nationalist banquet that "William H. Cashel" went to in Carlow in May 1889.
Organised by Parnell's Irish National League.
From the Kildare Observer, 1 June 1889.



William is "called on to resign" 23 Nov 1889 [GSWR record].
See full size.



The sad appearance of William Henry Cashel at Limerick Petty Sessions in July 1891.
He killed himself 3 months later.
See full size.




Buttevant

William Henry Cashel was station master at Buttevant, Co.Cork, from before May 1868 until May-June 1874.
Buttevant was a GSWR station at this time.
The station closed 1977 (though the line did not close).
The Buttevant Rail Disaster happened here in 1980.
The main building was demolished in the mid 1990s.


Buttevant station on 1887 to 1913 map.
See modern map and street view.



Buttevant station in 1980.
From RTE.



Remains of part of the main station building at Buttevant.
Photo 2006. See full size and original.
From Eiretrains. Used with permission.




References



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